Take a Letter Maria

Album: R.B. Greaves (1969)
Charted: 2
Play Video
  • Last night as I got home, about a half past ten
    There was the woman I thought I knew, in the arms of another man
    I kept my cool, I ain't no fool, let me tell you what happened then
    I packed some clothes and I walked out, and I ain't going back again

    [Chorus:]
    So take a letter Maria, address it to my wife
    Say I won't be coming home, gonna start a new life
    So take a letter Maria, address it to my wife
    Send a copy to my lawyer, gotta start a new life

    You've been many things but most of all a good secretary to me
    And it's times like this I feel you've always been close to me
    Was I wrong to work nights to try to build a good life
    All work and no play has just cost me a wife

    [Chorus]

    When a man loves a woman it's hard to understand
    That she would find more pleasure in the arms of another man
    I never really noticed how sweet you are to me
    It just so happens I'm free tonight, would you like to have dinner with me

    [Chorus]

    So take a letter Maria, address it to my wife
    Send a copy to my lawyer, gotta start a new life Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 7

  • Jamesb from Diamond Bar Ca What a smash - Wish it could have got to Number 1 - Love the drumming
  • Barry from Sauquoit, NyExactly fifty years ago today on November 16th, 1969 "Take A Letter Marie" by R.B. Greaves peaked at #2 {for 1 week} on Billboard's Top 100 chart, the week it was at #2, the #1 record for that week was "Wedding Bell Blues"* by the 5th Dimension...
    The rest of the Top 10 on November 16th, 1969:
    At #3. "Something" by The Beatles
    #4. "And When I Die"* by Blood, Sweat and Tears
    #5. "Smile A Little Smile For Me" by The Flying Machine
    #6. "Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye" by Steam
    #7. "Come Together" by The Beatles
    #8. "Yester-Me, Yester-You, Yesterday" by Stevie Wonder
    #9. "Suspicious Mind" by Elvis Presley
    #10. "I Can't Get Next To You" by The Temptations
    R.I.P. to both R.B. Greaves {1943 - 2012} and Laura Nyro {1947 - 1997}...
    * And from the 'For What It's Worth' department, both "Wedding Bell Blues" and "And When I Die" were composed by Laura Nyro...
  • Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn October 12th 1969, "Take A Letter Maria" by R.B. Greaves entered Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart at position #61; and on November 16th, 1969 it peaked at #2 {for 1 week} and spent 15 weeks on the Top 100...
    It reached #10 on Billboard's R&B Singles chart and #3 on the Adult Contemporary Tracks chart...
    One year later in 1970 it was covered by Anthony Armstrong Jones; his version peaked at #8 on Billboard's Hot Country Singles chart...
    And then in 1999 Doug Stone's covered version reached #45 on the Hot Country singles chart...
    The week R.B.'s "Take A Letter Maria" was at #2, the #1 record for that week was 'Wedding Bell Blues" by the Fifth Dimension...
    R.I.P. Mr. Greaves, born Ronald Bertram Aloysius Greaves the III {1943 - 2012}.
  • Camille from Toronto, OhVery fun song to listen to and sing along with!
  • Jennifer Harris from Grand Blanc, MiI remember this song.Also a good story packaged with it.
  • Guy from Woodinville, WaGreat song. Wonderful little story packaged inside it.
  • Barry from Greenville, NcR.B.'s actual name is Ronald Bertram Aloysius Greaves and he's the nephew of Sam Cooke. Half Native American, he was raised on a Seminole reservation in California.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Experience Nirvana with Sub Pop Founder Bruce Pavitt

Experience Nirvana with Sub Pop Founder Bruce PavittSong Writing

The man who ran Nirvana's first label gets beyond the sensationalism (drugs, Courtney) to discuss their musical and cultural triumphs in the years before Nevermind.

Alan Merrill of The Arrows

Alan Merrill of The ArrowsSongwriter Interviews

In her days with The Runaways, Joan Jett saw The Arrows perform "I Love Rock And Roll," which Alan Merrill co-wrote - that story and much more from this glam rock pioneer.

Five Rockers Who Rolled With The Devil

Five Rockers Who Rolled With The DevilSong Writing

Just how much did these monsters of rock dabble in the occult?

Michelle Branch

Michelle BranchSongwriter Interviews

Michelle Branch talks about "Everywhere," "The Game Of Love," and her run-in with a Christian broadcasting network.

Gary LeVox

Gary LeVoxSongwriter Interviews

On "Life Is A Highway," his burgeoning solo career, and the Rascal Flatts song he most connects with.

Marc Campbell - "88 Lines About 44 Women"

Marc Campbell - "88 Lines About 44 Women"They're Playing My Song

The Nails lead singer Marc Campbell talks about those 44 women he sings about over a stock Casio keyboard track. He's married to one of them now - you might be surprised which.